Things are getting back to normal .....

Things are getting back to normal - whatever that is …  not sure if I reported this but as we touched the Pacific waters - Companion actually did “cough” and spurt - we thought she was just getting her first gulp of her new home waters - actually we think it turned into pneumonia - ugh ….. major engine problems …. Starboard side quit totally and the Port side wasn’t happy either.

So we did what almost every cruiser that I know does  - go up to the restaurant/bar and find other cruisers and start asking around for who does great engine work … well … we got lucky - Kenny Brazil to the rescue - not only did he fix the engines - but gave Dale lessons and instructions.

Starboard side - SYMPTOM --water in the diesel - drain out the water in the Racor and check the tank for water (none found - strange) then replaced fuel filters and drained off some more water -  plus a good check - up … Where did the water (only in the starboard fuel) come from ? - bad diesel, condensation, or maybe all the rain we have had - so Dale re-caulked the filler pipe fitting with silicon and hope that will make a difference.

Port side - SYMPTONS -- a periodic whine from the belt and not spitting as much water; plus a little smoke, plus a leaky salt water pump … Kenny opened the salt water pump and found 3 broken blades on the impeller … Dale had a spare impeller so replacement was done and a new belt for the whining old belt. Companion is a happier now!!

(As you can tell Dale helped me write this portion ... a little to technical for me - but I do know what is happening and why - a HUGE improvement for me ... I will keep on learning!)

Of course - when one thing is fixed “another” causes issues … the day before Dale and Crew left Curacao he purchased one new AGM battery - because that was all they had in that country … in total we have 3 of these batteries that keep “the house” electricity ON!  When one fails they all start to crash slowly … so now we are in the market for two new ones … Dale wants to keep his first mate happy and as long as she can have ice (and propane) - life is good on Companion!  Kenny is battery shopping for us right now!!

We are filling our days waiting for Emily and Kyle - catching up on boat details …

Dale is making routes at the helm for future travels …

I am getting ready to restock the provisions - taking inventory and organizing … making sure there is enough of everything we could ever need on board … it is kind of fun now because whatever I purchase will come home with us if not used.  So no worries .... we can live at this home forever!  (well maybe?)

The toolkit is working overtime - fine-tuning all - Dale is becoming a real “grease monkey!” We need to get more degreaser to keep him and Companion clean!

Oh - gotta get out the Christmas decorations - then I will be ready for the holidays! Miss baking cookies ... but will make a trip to the bakery ... 

An Afterthought ...

An afterthought - not really …  after the blogging of our Canal journey ….

there were a couple of more photos that I thought I would share … some of my favorite moments that I actually caught on film with my new camera…

In order to cut down on the washing of glasses all day long  - Rose and Tanya devised this idea - only wash your glass when you think it is necessary …. So “Name” those water glasses!

Like family traditions in most homes - as a kid and now as the mom … we always celebrated St. Nicholas’ Day with our shoes near the hearth at home - the eve of Dec 5 - but on Companion - the Cockpit is like the “hearth at home” and was where the action was!! 

Ed, the ever entertainer and comic relief thought we should test our marital skills with an evening entertainment - more for him - than us  - with his version of “The Newlywed Game” - Girls questions first - Guys second - loads of giggling and some “what are you thinking!” statements - but anyway the Grand Prize Winners - Rose and Kurtis … I truly think Dale and I had a disadvantage - married 31 years where the kids were 1 and 2 years out …  oh well …

by the way - the grand prize was not a trip to Panama ... a brand new fresh packet of "baby/face wipes!"

Real Coffee - no more decaf for this girl - thanks Rose for switching me over -

People watching - one of my favorite of things to do …. All ages … all faces …

Sky watching … Clouds and sun amazing!  Feel that I am being looked after - every moment - every day! Thankful ….

Our Five Amigos!

Well… it is quiet now … way to quiet ... We are missing our “five amigos”…

What a treat it was to share the beginning of the 2011/12 adventure with them … getting Companion to the next destination.

Giving a little bit of insight on these sailors  - "our five amigos" … is my pleasure …. 

Kurtis …. What started out a couple of years ago with fulfilling your “childhood dream” to sail the blue seas (in the BVI’s ) …  it was Dale’s privilege to share that with you then and now you assisting Dale to complete a “major” Companion accomplishment … crossing the Canal …. Sharing the journey and Dale’s dream!  We can’t thank you enough for your tireless work ethic, sailing skills, knowledge and sense of camaraderie!

 Rose … your wonderful smile and eagerness to help was a delight …. Loved having a culinary enthusiast on board … I know you will be adding kitchen gadgets to your wish list!  Our crew never ate better … and now you can add embroidery enthusiast to your claim. Your instinctive/gut feelings were right on - you are a people person!  I miss my early morning mochas and you.

Garrett … aka: G-Man …. Your sailing skills, fun loving spirit and knowledge of mechanical and technical situations were so appreciated …  besides entertaining us with your guitar and soothing vocals … Your are one fun guy! We want to be sitting in the "front row" when you make it big!!

Tanya …. Your willingness to always take the helm and the confidence that showed in those moments was a delight to watch.  You, too - an official member of the Companion Embroidery Guild!!  And quite “the gamer” you are - “Oh Hell” takes on a whole new standard after all of the marathon games!  … loved your bubbly enthusiasm!

Ed …. “Brother” … what a treat it was for me to watch you two brothers sharing a passion and of course the song "Come Sail Away!" - your parents would be so proud and happy … we both - but especially Dale loved having you join us for Companion’s historic journey thru the Canal … your keen sense of humor and knowledge of sailing was appreciated!  Besides that .. comic relief when we needed it ... propane takes on a whole new meaning!!  

We loved having the “Life of the Party” aboard!  You are planning the “Canal Reunion?” RIght?

While I am writing this…. Let me take a minute to reflect on “my man”  - sharing the moment of finally arriving to the Canal and the journey into the first lock gave me goose bumps! 

Sharing your “dream” …. Sharing a common goal …. Sharing life with you… just thanks..

So our dear “five amigos” we want to remember our journey together and know that

                                   Mi casa es tu casa!

Final moments on the Canal Journey - Day Two - Pacific here we come!

Day Two started early - we were to be awake and ready for our second advisor to join us - 6am to be exact!   So around 7 am the pilot boat showed up with “Our Roy!”  He choose us - the catamaran because of the smoother ride - He didn’t know he was going to have so much fun!    But to say the least we were in excellent hands with Roy - his 25 years of experience was obvious!

Of course - Ed and Dale made fast friends with Roy - we had a 21-mile motor to get across the Gatun Lake to The Cut and an additional 8 miles to the next 3 locks for our descent to the Pacific.   Again we were to provide breakfast and lunch for our advisor - Garrett the resident Pancake Chef - did a great job - so with mochas for us girls, coffee for the rest - we were ready to get started.

Having Ed along for the past 4 weeks of the journey was really good for the morale of the boat and especially for the Captain - Ed knows how to have FUN!  So all week long he has been prepping everyone (at least he thought he was) and organizing a Toga Party Crossing. So out he comes with his “practice” Toga  …. Comic relief at its best!

Caesar?  A Roman? Superman?

Of course that just motivated the rest of the crew and Roy "kind of chuckled" … not to sure what he got himself into!  Dale just continues to motor across the Gatun Lake leading the other 2 yachts that were to be in the locks with us -  Ed disappears below for a little bit …and reappeared "Toga Ready!"

Really …… this must be our gladiator! Yep - no mistakin’ our genuine gladiator!

Spurring on the guys - they quickly got in the act… it is amazing what sheets and pillowcases can do!

Being part of the crew - means we work - regardless of the “dress code” -

So with that said …. Work had to be done … “move that boat!!”

Garrett knows how to handle his lines…..

Rose and Kurtis

    Tanya and "G-Man"     aka: Garrett

 

Rose and Kim - guess I should have brought my "goddess dress" from Em and Kyle's wedding!

 Dale was relieved to have such a happy crew …. fun lovin' and hard workin'!

Taking a moment to enjoy the upfront and personal view…

Roy radioed ahead to the Miraflores Locks so the cameras would be ready as we pass by the crowd at the museum and of course for the live webcam!!  Ed wanted to make their national news ….. There was no mistakin’ Companion was making an entrance!!

Roy was a good sport and handled business as usual!!

Besides giving us great recommendations for restaurants and touring!

Twenty Four hours from the time our first advisor arrived at the Flats - we reached our destination at the Balboa Yacht Club  - 43 miles - 6 Canal locks - 30 mile motor across the Gatun Lake and The Cut - 2 advisors safe, sound and stomachs filled -  all seven members of the crew still on board  - We completed our mission!

Thank you Roy - you made it so very memorable for all of us! 

Of course we weren’t done till we got rid of the tires and lines…

Kurtis took charge…

Two loads of tires and 500 feet of rope returned!

Now we could have fun … we celebrated with drink and appetizers galore!

A real celebration with all of the fixin's!

To our "crew" - really our brother and friends - thanks for sharing this adventure with us - 

we made it to the Pacific!  What a great two days!

Companion's Panama Crew!

I would like to share one of Ed's toasts for the evening   … one of many!

“To Companion - we were with her today as she got her first taste of the Pacific - 
Her home waters!”  Cheers!

Once again - thankful for a safe ending to the journey thru the Panama!

Companion's historic moments - Day one Panama Canal

Historic, proud, excited, anxious, nervous, memorable - feelings that we were having Saturday morning as we left the dock in Shelter Bay  - I loved seeing our American flag fly in the wind…. We are getting closer every mile!

"God Bless America,Companion and Her Crew!”

Sailing/motoring to “The Flats” to be met by “our advisor”  - We all were getting goose bumps or at least I was - knowing how much this means to Dale - to truly start the process of this voyage  - bringing Companion to the Pacific.

“We are really doing this!”

The Panama Canal provided us with an advisor to sit with Dale as he captained thru the locks of the canal.  Osveldo was a gracious and knowledgeable gentleman that would lead us thru our “game plan”.

Osveldo making sure everything is a go!

How to raft up with another monohull - Corvallis - makes it easier to control with two boats side by side … securing the tires as fenders between the boats and protection from the canal walls…

12 tires and 5 fenders protecting our hulls plus over 500 feet of line!

Corvallis - Roy and Gail’s sailboat from Massachusetts - headed to Costa Rica

What to expect when the linesmen throw us the canal line …. new terms … like “the monkey fist” - a pretty big lead shot covered in a braided rope - that when tossed to us would be heavy enough to reach us.

Monkey fist weighs about 1 pound and the canal linesmen know how to toss and aim!

We thought we really should have had a baseball mitt to catch the monkey fist!

Dale, Ed, Kurtis and Garrett had spent the better part of the previous afternoon rigging our line stations for the canal. So the 125 foot lines could go thru our spinnaker blocks attached to the cleats then to either the mast winches or helm winches. Giving us control on the winches - very slick if I say so myself … the guys were proud of themselves as it took the pressure off of the cleats and worked like a charm …

Sometimes we were eye level with the linesmen - they walked with us as we maneuvered in the locks.

Osveldo got us organized on the deck - all systems ready to go - Dale at the helm - ready, set.  Proceed with caution ….  Ahhhh … Companion is starting her trek to the Pacific!

Our faithful crew ready for action! This is the reason for the journey!

As I watched Dale’s body language it was very clear that he was excited to be bringing Companion to our new coastline - her new home!  Knowing how Dale thinks (most of the time - I can read him like a book) I will tell you that he was ready for this moment - to be able to share it with his brother - Ed and the crew that helped him get Companion to this point of the journey - Kurtis, Rose, Garrett and Tanya was extra special - and I got to watch all of the anticipation from the top of Companion's bimini.

Watching and waiting…

So when the huge iron gates behind us began to close - we had this huge freighter in front of us.

Garrett had everything under control ... “We’re really following that vessel?” Giving the thumbs up!

Rafted together with a monohull, Corvallis  - it was pretty incredible …

Roy stands watch - while Gail was at their helm

Water rising at a pretty quick pace - rising up about 30 feet in about 25 minutes. Water swirling behind the freighter - the canal linesmen along with our line handlers (Kurt, Rose, Tanya and Garrett - Ed acting as a “supervisor” !!!)

“That is one big freighter!” Ed reporting to the Captain!

No worries - Companion was in good hands ...  Capt’n D got to watch standing on his seat - a bird’s eye view!

Dale, Kurt and Rose - thinking this is a breeze!

Tanya workin’ hard!

 Two more locks to go and another 60 feet to rise - no problem..

I even got a chance to pull the line!

Osveldo guided us in the dark to a huge mooring ball at the lake’s edge - where we were to rest for the night.

Twilight as we left the Gatun Canal Locks.

We were to provide “dinner” for the advisor - so like most of our discussions - food is always at the forefront - we decided on a Dirty Rice Jambalaya - so our early morning preparations were perfect and Osveldo   (FYI:  he had never had Jambalaya before) said it was the best he ever had! Even had second helpings!  Made the galley chefs mighty proud!  As he ate his dinner - we secured to this jumbo - mammoth mooring ball …

It only took Garret one good size leap to get over to the ball with our lines.

Time for some fun!

Then our dinner, a glass of wine or two -  finally rest came easy ….

Grateful for a safe and successful first leg.  Amen!

Tomorrow is gonna be another big day!